Avoided this movie all along because the people I trust had little good to say abt it. It was playing on Sony last week so I DVR'd it and finally watched it today! Fanaa is pretty much Aamir and Kajol's show and their peerless work in the 2nd half elevates a BAD movie to something above average! The 1st half in one word is HIDEOUS. From Aamir's very unflattering appearance(especially given his character in the 1st half) to the lack of chemistry between the lead stars and the very sudden/forced/clichéd way in which their 'love story' develops. It's just BAD. The movie doesn't really get interesting until a near-death Aamir Khan knocks on Kajol's door amid a blizzard(incredible piece of acting by Aamir in this scene, btw). You really have to hand it to the 2 stars for the work they do in the 2nd half. Considering how little I felt for Rehan-Zooni's relationship in the 1st half they had me hooked pretty darn well at every little thing they go through in the 2nd. Plus there's finally some genuine chemistry between the 2 as Kohli's no longer force feeding the speshulness of Rehan-Zooni's LURVV down our throats ala the 1st half.
It was great to see Kajol again. Given the hopeless condition of Bollywood actresses post-2000 Fanaa makes me appreciate her even more so! There are numerous extra-ordinary scenes featuring her but do look out for the Antakshari one.
Not that it was necessary but Aamir Khan(along with the ever-improving Saif Ali Khan) again proves why he stands alone. I'm still in awe of his work in the 2nd half. Rehan is hardly an easy character to play considering there aren't any reasons given for WHY he is who he is(this IS a flaw) and ONE could easily hate him. But we don't, and that's all Aamir Khan and his ability to convey such wide array of emotions. Any other actor would've succumbed under what is obviously poor writing.
I liked the kid who played Aamir-Kajol's son. For once in an Indian movie we get to see a child-actor who can not only act but is actually given lines that don't make you cringe. The kid actually acts like a...real KID! Rishi Kapoor as Kajol's softie father is likable as ever. Tabu's alright. Kiron Kher could do w/ a break. She seems to be in pretty much every big-banner movie and has gotten stale.
Cinematography is brilliant and the background score(2nd half, especially!) is among the best I've heard lately.
On the whole, the 2nd half is the life and soul of Fanaa - thanks to a more original screenplay and the spectacular work of Aamir/Kajol. The movie is still loaded w/ flaws. The 1st half is a mess. But I stayed patient and at the end of day, felt like I had watched quite a decent flick.
It was great to see Kajol again. Given the hopeless condition of Bollywood actresses post-2000 Fanaa makes me appreciate her even more so! There are numerous extra-ordinary scenes featuring her but do look out for the Antakshari one.
Not that it was necessary but Aamir Khan(along with the ever-improving Saif Ali Khan) again proves why he stands alone. I'm still in awe of his work in the 2nd half. Rehan is hardly an easy character to play considering there aren't any reasons given for WHY he is who he is(this IS a flaw) and ONE could easily hate him. But we don't, and that's all Aamir Khan and his ability to convey such wide array of emotions. Any other actor would've succumbed under what is obviously poor writing.
I liked the kid who played Aamir-Kajol's son. For once in an Indian movie we get to see a child-actor who can not only act but is actually given lines that don't make you cringe. The kid actually acts like a...real KID! Rishi Kapoor as Kajol's softie father is likable as ever. Tabu's alright. Kiron Kher could do w/ a break. She seems to be in pretty much every big-banner movie and has gotten stale.
Cinematography is brilliant and the background score(2nd half, especially!) is among the best I've heard lately.
On the whole, the 2nd half is the life and soul of Fanaa - thanks to a more original screenplay and the spectacular work of Aamir/Kajol. The movie is still loaded w/ flaws. The 1st half is a mess. But I stayed patient and at the end of day, felt like I had watched quite a decent flick.